A Mixed-Methods Study to Evaluate Family Planning Desires and Barriers to Building Families Among Gay, Bisexual, and Lesbian Cisgender Military Service Members.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Barriers to seeking infertility care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, and asexual (LGBTIQA+) individuals are well documented in the literature. However, little is known about military LGBTIQA+ service members seeking infertility care within the Military Health System. Approximately 6.1% of active duty U.S. service members across all branches identify as LGBTIQA+, which underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the needs of this community to support and retain service members. We therefore sought to describe the lived experiences of lesbian and gay cisgender service members in building their families in order to understand their family-building desires and potential barriers to seeking infertility care.

Materials and meth

SUBMITTER: Boedeker D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12023145 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature